Polk State vs Chipola

Polk State College and Chipola College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Florida, offer unique educational experiences tailored to diverse student aspirations. Polk State, situated in the heart of Central Florida, boasts an acceptance rate of 100%, welcoming students from all backgrounds to pursue their academic goals. Chipola, nestled in the scenic Florida Panhandle, maintains a slightly more selective admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 98%. While Polk State's student body is predominantly female, Chipola's population is more evenly balanced between genders. Both colleges offer a wide range of academic programs, with Polk State excelling in fields like nursing, business, and education, and Chipola specializing in healthcare, public safety, and engineering technology. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Chipola College logo

Chipola College

Polk State College logo

Polk State College

Overview

Location Marianna, Florida Winter Haven, Florida
Campus setting Town: Distant City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate
Students retention rate 67.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate Open Admission Open Admission
Application fees $20
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT) Not required
High school GPA N/A N/A
Recommendation letters N/A N/A
High school transcript N/A N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) N/A N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $13,656

Out of state: $19,486
In state: $17,401

Out of state: $26,307
Average net price $4,360 $8,227
Tuition
In state: $2,365

Out of state: $8,195
In state: $2,483

Out of state: $9,933
Room & board
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

94.0%
Average amount $4,897
54.0%
Average amount $5,400
Students receiving federal student loan 7.0%
Average amount $4,728
Students taking out private loans 0.0%
Average amount $0

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,756
Men 36.5% Women 63.5%
9,044
Men 34.4% Women 65.6%
Graduate students N/A N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 9.2% 0.3%
International students 1.2% 1.4%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Small
Dormitory capacity 99 N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? No N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Florida Alabama Georgia Mississippi New York Florida California Georgia Iowa Mississippi

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Liberal Arts
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Culinary and Personal Services
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 20:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 50.8% 33.2%
Dropout rate 30.9% 51.4%
Transferred out 14.6% 11.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,386
  • Year 2: $46,673
  • Year 3: $51,564
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $34,908
  • Year 3: $35,748
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: $29,503
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,699
  • Year 2: $16,169
  • Year 3: $20,807
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,824
  • Year 3: N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $34,960
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,431
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,310
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $68,291
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,694
  • Year 2: $53,001
  • Year 3: $52,096
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,742
  • Year 2: $48,198
  • Year 3: $49,605
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,427
  • Year 2: $35,274
  • Year 3: $40,565
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,233
  • Year 2: $41,007
  • Year 3: $40,265
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,616
  • Year 2: $34,660
  • Year 3: $39,777
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,837
  • Year 2: $24,035
  • Year 3: $29,385
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,337
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $17,510